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"The reading was a partnership between the two of us; she did not simply recite planetary signs and meanings, but had a conversation with me, continually asking what I made of what she saw, and what I thought I could do to change the things I want to change.

When the names of other people in my life came up, she quickly looked up their charts on her computer and commented on their roles in my life -- painting a fuller picture of where I was, where I wanted to go, and how I could get there.

What was impressive was that Elisabeth took all the planets, people, and situations that made up my life and created a context for them all that was positive, hopeful, and exciting!

She has a lovely personality, a sharp wit, and a gift for astrological interpretation."
--Bill W.New York

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Since 9:43AM ET on Friday (yesterday), the energy of the day has been driven by the Moon in Scorpio, seeking depth, control and substance. It goes void at 2:22AM ET on SUNDAY (Christmas Day/Hannukah)…and will remain drifting/wandering until 10:19PM ET. That explains any twists and flakes that may disrupt your efforts to reach Grandmother’s house for your holiday dinner (and do keep in mind that Mercury is still retrograde, also interfering with focus, communication and travel plans).

We haven’t had any exact aspects among the planets — except to the Moon — since December 12th. That changes today, starting with a rare harmony between Saturn and Uranus, exact at 7:17PM ET. This is the first of three exact trines (that’s the technical term for the “rare harmony”) that will happen between now and through 2017. This easy flow between Saturn and Uranus is one of the dominant patterns of the new year. And may I just say that it is astonishing to note that as 2017 approaches, Spellcheck still underlines “trines” in red because it does not believe it is a word.

Pattern #1: Saturn trine Uranus.

Keywords for Saturn include the old guard, patriarchy, authority, ambition, gravitas, structure, fear, control, limits, brick walls, time and borders. Saturn is in Sagittarius for most of 2017, as it was in 2016. Thus, we expect to see structuring efforts in Sagittarius concerns which include: publishing, foreigners, collective beliefs (legal, higher education and religious), opinions, broad comedy and the need to push boundaries. Possible manifestations include efforts to control the media, collective thoughts, personal opinions and borders. This includes access and censorship.

Keywords for Uranus include disruption, the avant garde, innovation, seismic events, aviation, genetic mutation, shocks, technology, eccentricity, freedom, astrology, fringes, chaos and rebellion. Uranus is in Aries through 2017 and has been there since March 2011, the day of the earthquake in Fukushima. So we the continued potential for innovation and disruption in Aries concerns such as self-reliance (think: gig economy); war (think: drones); automobiles (think: self-driving, Uber et.al); head injuries (think: concussions; amazing tech cures). Got that?

With Saturn and Uranus symbolically in harmony, we see the potential for cooperation between the old guard and the avant garde; innovation and structure – for better or for worse. What could that suggest? Here’s a recent example, perhaps: the Electoral College — an old-guard institution — votes for the Uranian Trump. Here’s a hypothetical scenario for 2017: old guard Republican senators like John McCain, Lindsey Graham and Susan Collins break ranks to support a bill introduced by the opposing party to…errm…uhhhh…I have no idea. Russia something? Rosh Hashanah?But somehow they are able to reach across the aisle in a curious coalition.

Another scenario: lawmakers approve tons of legislation to use technology (Uranus) to control, limit or structure (Saturn) access and expression of opinion (Sagittarius) by individuals (Aries). So much for that “controversial” visitor registry President Obama ordered to be dismantled? Perhaps. Another scenario: the Powers That Be (Saturn) are united in their efforts to shake up the system (Uranus). Organized chaos? We shall see.

You are more personally affected by the potential to structure your ambition with surprising innovation if you have a planet or angle around 19-27 degrees of just about any sign, and especially 27 Leo. The exact dates of this trine are Dec 24, 2016; May 19 2017 and Nov 11, 2017.

Pattern #2: Jupiter opposing Uranus and…

Pattern #3: Jupiter square Pluto

We experienced the expansive influence of Jupiter with Uranus and Pluto in 2013 and 2014, when Jupiter in Cancer opposed Pluto and squared Uranus. More recently, Jupiter squared Pluto on November 24th — Thanksgiving Day. The next two hits are on March 30th and August 4th, 2017.

The first exact Jupiter – Uranus opposition happens at 1:32PM ET on December 26th. The next two hits are March 2, 2017 and September 28, 2017.

Jupiter keywords include: collective belief systems, such as higher education, religion, political philosophies and the media; optimism, benevolence, inflation, bombast. Whereas Saturn restricts, Jupiter expands, for better or for worse. How will it apply its expansive efforts in 2017? Through the sign of Libra. Keywords for Libra include: fairness, balance, relationship, compromise, rational discourse, people-pleasing, diplomacy and the rule of law. Got a conflict? What a horrible concept for a Libra. Conflict? Eek! How can we avoid it? Can we talk about it? Rationally? Weighing the pros and cons? In court or with some other mediator?

Pluto keywords include: perspective, news from underground, plutocrats, power, seismic activity (volcanoes), breakdown, elimination, transformation, corruption, obsession, regeneration and catharsis. Oh — and radiation — especially when coupled with Uranus, as in uranium and plutonium and nuclear power and arms. Is it any surprise that the Twitterer-in-Chief rattled nerves a few days ago by suggesting the U.S. expand its arsenal of nuclear weapons?

Jupiter square Pluto refers to expansion of power and resources, along with exaggeration and inflation of Plutonian themes. With Pluto in Capricorn, we see the potential of expansion in Capricorn concerns: the Establishment, corporations, government institutions, status, infrastructure.

With Jupiter is in Libra, we see the potential for efforts to expand power and resources to be met with howls of “That’s not fair!” followed by “See you in court!” Or we might see a lot of, “Gee…I can’t make up my mind. I’ll just go along with whatever so-and-so says.” Judgments issued in 2017 when Jupiter is in touch with Uranus and/or Pluto may be shocking, tipping the balance of power.

Meanwhile…over the next two days…

Along with major contacts among Jupiter, Saturn and Uranus, the next two days offer input from other planets that are potentially sweet. On SUNDAY, Venus in “can’t we all be friends” Aquarius harmonizes with Jupiter, Uranus and Saturn at 8:23 AM, 11:35AM and 1:33PM ET respectively. Count your blessings in the Moon void; revel in tidings of comfort and joy; chill and enjoy the day. A dreamy alignment between Mercury (mindset) and Neptune — exact at 11:19PM ET on MONDAY may infuse the next two days with a rosy glow.

This friendly planetary vibe reminded me of two old Looney Tunes cartoon characters: Ralph the Wolf and Sam the Sheepdog. When they’re on the clock, Sam defends his flock against Ralph’s deadly schemes. It’s a cartoon, so naturally Ralph never succeeds. When the two adversaries punch the clock at the end of the business day, they’re the best of buddies. Funny how that is — and here’s a clip so you can see for yourself.

Rumor has it that at the end of our shift on Planet Earth we will all see ourselves in each other — recognizing that every one of us comes from the same source: love. Rumor has it. And I’m an idealist at heart.

Thank you for reading this forecast. Thank you to Avid Readers who have shared and supported my work for nearly eight (!) years. I could not do this without you. Thank you especially to Avid Readers who are also clients. I am deeply appreciative of your trust and faith in astrology. Thank you for allowing me to be of service.

The 411 on consultations and reports is here. The link to the Cosmic Tip Jar is here. PayPal says the link has been made 100% hassle-free, as of last week. Time will tell if PayPal is right.

The last week of 2015 is driven by the Moon in regal Leo, looking for a stage upon which to shine. Give ’em a round of applause, will you? The need for recognition could take on an innovative and friendly spin, courtesy of a helpful lift from Uranus at 12:13PM ET. Moon cruises along without much interference for the rest of the night. You can cruise, too!

Note your dreams over the next day or so, as the Sun makes an easy connection to visionary Neptune, exact at 8:18AM ET on Tuesday. That’s quickly followed by an easy connection between the Moon (still in Leo) and action hero Mars at 8:33AM ET — so there’s an extra kick to get you going. A practical mindset may be charged by a need for action with social consciousness, suggested by an energetic contact between Mercury (mindset, communication) and Mars, exact at 9:54AM ET. There’s another motivating kick for you, if you need it this week.

Moon goes void on Tuesday at 12:38PM ET — but only until 1:58PM ET, when it engages in perfection-seeking Virgo. The need to sort the wheat from the chaff drives the action until midnight ET on Friday, January 1st. So here we have a week with hardly any Moon void twists and flakes to derail your efforts to move forward in a straight line. Not only that, but between December 26th and January 5th, all of the planets are moving forward. Are you working this week? Even if it’s just on your own vision quest (i.e., you’re not at the office), planetary patterns suggest potential for the outward expression.

If you are new to this forecast, welcome! If you are not familiar with the term “Moon void” or “void of course Moon,” here is a helpful link describing this planetary phenomenon. Do not worry if you do not quite understand it right away. It takes a looooooooong time to master a language, which is what astrology is, if you ask me.

Notable shifts this week happen on Wednesday, when Venus leaves Scorpio for high-flying Sagittarius, exhales mightily and pushes the boundaries in social expression until January 23rd. On Friday, mental Mercury leaves hard-nosed Capricorn for wonky Aquarius, and immediately begins to sloooooooooooooow down. Yep, this is your Really Big PSA of the Day: Mercury turns retrograde on January 5th, reviewing all the ground it covered in December. If you ordered one of my 2016 Really Useful Mercury Retrograde Bookmarks, you know exactly how long Mercury will be retrograde in January, as well as what to expect, what to avoid and why there is no need to freak out.Shoot me an email if you’d like to acquire a few bookmarks for you and several of your closest friends.

Mix the weekend’s Full Moon in Cancer (a water sign) with rebel Uranus turning direct, and the expectation was for something wild and wacky. Certainly the weather did not disappoint: freak storms in the South and Southwest here in the U.S., as well as people running around in shorts here in New York. Had it been 40 degrees cooler, we would have had a white Christmas. There are floods in northern England – and in South America, too.

At the end of every year, the NYT Sunday magazine is devoted to a series of profiles collectively called “The Lives They Lived” — about notable people who passed away during the year. Those memorialized this year seem especially innovative, eccentric, rebellious and/or pioneering — a fitting reflection of Uranus in Aries. Enjoy.

To discuss what’s likely to be on your plate in 2016, here’s the 411 on personal consultations. With Mercury turning retrograde next month, a REview of your goals now would be aptly timed.

A potentially slow start to the morning, with chances of a high flake factor or unexpected twist, especially if you live in the eastern times zones in the U.S. As I type, Moon has been void of course in material comfort-seeking Taurus since 1:10PM ET Sunday…and it doesn’t enter Gemini until 1:05PM ET Monday (today). I spent part of the void applying the inspiration and innovation of planetary patterns (read Friday’s forecast for details of said patterns) into a rich asparagus soup and a lemon-thyme roasted chicken, which will provide much material comfort over the next few days. You?

Moon’s ingress into Gemini quickens the pace of the afternoon, as the need to inform and be informed pulls focus. Pick up the phone; write that email and have that conversation, using an easy application of practical energy suggested by a smooth connection between Sun in Taurus and Mars in detail-oriented Virgo (exact at 8:59PM ET). As the evening progresses, note these two caveats: 1) a challenge between Moon and nebulous Neptune, at 6:33PM ET which adds inspiration and/or confusion to the mix; 2) a challenge between Moon and nitpicky Mars at 9:46PM ET, suggesting heightened egos and/or emotional outbursts.

Meanwhile, if you’re digging for truth or dirt, this week’s challenge between ruthless Pluto and mental Mercury (exact Wednesday at 10:50AM ET) suggests the potential for communication that cuts right to the heart of the matter. Watch for more news from underground as the week progresses.

And speaking of news, I found these headlines especially in line with planetary patterns. Regarding Sunday’s Uranus-Mercury conjunction suggesting innovation and aviation, I was intrigued by a New York Times Magazine piece on inventors http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/22/magazine/is-this-really-the-golden-age-for-inventors.html? Also of note: progress made on a possible merger between bankrupt American Airlines and U.S. Air http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/21/business/us-air-strikes-deal-with-amrs-unions.html travel agents may be making a comeback http://travel.nytimes.com/2012/04/22/travel/are-travel-agents-back.html?hpw and a plane crash in Pakistan.

Of note in the “Confuse-A-Cat”* category (nebulous Neptune opposing Mars), we saw numerous stories of spectacular showmanship/deception/things not being as they seem, including a fascinating front page story about a New York socialite’s made-up life http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/22/nyregion/the-secret-life-of-alan-z-feuer.html and a Discovery Channel documentary that had record ratings — about a woman whose harrowing tale of surviving the destruction of the World Trade Center turned out to be pure fiction www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/books/the-woman-who-wasnt-there-the-true-story-of-an-incredible-deception-by-robin-gaby And then there’s Wal-Mart, apparently scandalized by big news of bribery and a cover-up in Mexico www.nytimes.com/2012/04/22/business/at-wal-mart-in-mexico-a-bribe-inquiry-silenced.html?pagewanted=all

When rebel Uranus and proactive Mars hook up, as they do early this AM, innovation rules the day. Watch the headlines for technological breakthroughs. In your own personal world, think different. Explore a new approach to an old problem — without whining about it. Make the change!

Moon goes void in patient and/or stubborn Taurus at 12:24PM ET, not to enter Gemini until 3:56AM. New Yorkers, you’ve got the morning to get it off your desk; Angelenos, yours could be a total day of rest, brainstorming and likely twists in your efforts to move in a straight line. Given the Moon void’s tendency to make mountains out of molehills, you are advised to do your darnedest to refrain from engaging in petty power plays and confrontations suggested by ruthless Pluto’s opposition to the Sun at 1:18AM Tuesday ET. There will be likely be plenty of legitimate serious stuff more worthy of your time and focus.

Here’s a reprint of portions of Friday’s forecast, noting the dominant pattern of the week, with a few correlating headlines hitting the papers so far:

The Big T-Square Party among the heavies (Pluto, Saturn and Uranus) likely makes its influence felt even more than it already has through next week. A lengthy post about this key planetary pattern was first published here around July 21st of last year – you can find it on my website) Sunday at 6:14AM erratic rebel Uranus in devil-may-care Aries squares the emotional security-needing Sun in Cancer. A declaration of independence, a seismic jolt or other status quo disruption will likely be felt in a big way beforehand. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/25/nyregion/a-sense-of-euphoria-settles-on-the-west-village.html?scp=9&sq=gay%20marriage%20new%20york&st=cse

Ruthless Pluto opposes Sun just after midnight on Tuesday, adding intrigue, exposed corruption, power plays and news from underground (radiation, mines, oil, to name a few examples). http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/26/us/26gas.html?pagewanted=3&_r=1&hp http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/26/world/americas/26mine.html?hp Controlling, patriarchal wet blanket Saturn squares the Sun next Saturday, the day after yet another eclipse. Who’s going to be feeling it the most? Those born on the 25th of March, June, September and December — give or take a day or two. Also those having a point or planet at 4-5 degrees of Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn.